In Melbourne, high school student Mia said: “I think it’s good that children are getting out there. It shows that it’s an actual problem and it needs to be dealt with.”

Asked if she thought the major parties would act on climate change, Mia responded: “I think they’re all in it for themselves, for their own profit. I feel like they have things that they deem more important than the futures of their children and their grandchildren on their minds. Whatever is going to make them the most money is what they deem most important.”

In response to the program of the IYSSE, Theo—a year nine student from inner Melbourne—said: “Creating an international organization of the youth that will take action on climate change is a really good idea because there is a lot of us and we are all really passionate and we will get it done.”

Katerina and Georgia, journalism students at Melbourne’s La Trobe University, initially attended the rally as part of an assignment.

However, Katerina explained: “I knew what it was about and the causes. It blew my mind to see so many children with nothing to lose protesting today. I think the politicians need to listen.” She agreed that none of the major parties would do anything about climate change, saying “if you look at their track records, they’ve all gone back on their word. They might win us over with election promises, but no doubt this will keep going.”

They were buoyed to hear of the SEP’s campaign putting forward a socialist alternative to the capitalist profit system and were excited to meet SEP Victorian senate candidate, Tessa Pietsch—whose statement they were reading—at the rally.

Year 11 students Zara, Heyma and Saskia took part in the rally in the regional New South Wales city of Newcastle, attended by around 200 students.

Heyma said that students were protesting “because we thought it was important to voice our views about climate change and the lack of government action. This is a pressing issue, and the world is waking up to it. People are beginning to realise that they need to get involved in this. We need to get involved in strikes like this, get involved in politics and make sure we’re informed.”

Zara explained she thinks “governments haven’t taken any steps to resolve climate change because it’s an economic issue. The government just wants the rich to make heaps of money, they don’t care about the environment that they’re leaving behind for us, the younger generation. They only care about making profits. They only think about the short-term gains.”

“We want to spread awareness that we’re ready to fight for this,” Saskia added. “We’re fighting to protect the environment and our future. The whole of society needs to change, not just particular policies. The fact that this movement is international is important—it also shows the power of social media, in spreading movements like these and uniting young people, who are thinking about these things and want to take action.” …

Kyle, a year 10 student who attended the inner-Sydney Marrickville protest said he thinks climate change “is one of the most important issues we face seeing as it involves the whole planet.”

“I’m anti-capitalism in general. A lot of people say that you have to make changes in yourself, but there is a big problem with the way companies are working. They are not changing what they are doing. They are telling us that we can change, but they need to change what they are doing in a big way.”

Dutch national team baseball player Bogaerts says no to Trump after grandslam home run

A month after Xander Bogaerts became the best-earning athlete in the Kingdom of the Netherlands with his new mega contract at Boston Red Sox, he hit a grand slam home run in Major League Baseball for the fifth time in his career.

The Aruban did so on Sunday night in the eighth inning of the game against the Chicago White Sox, thereby leading his team to a 9-2 victory. Bogaerts hit the ball over the fence with all three bases occupied.

After the game, Bogaerts again made a statement by stating that he will not go to the White House on Thursday, where his team will be honoured by President Donald Trump for winning the World Series last year. …

In recent years, nearly half of the invited sports teams – such as [American football] Super Bowl winner Philadelphia Eagles – boycotted the White House out of discontent with Trump and his policies. National Basketball Association champions Golden State Warriors were also critical of Trump and were not even invited in advance.

Mikro Chorio Village Tilos: Mikro Chorio is a deserted village between Livadia and Megalo Chorio, the capital of Tilos.

After the year 1940, the village was gradually abandoned and most of the inhabitants moved to Livadia. Today, only ruins of impressive buildings and stone built houses can be seen. The only thing that survives is the beautiful whitewashed church that dominates the village overlooking the valley and the sea.

The main attraction of Mikro Chorio is the castle that was built on top of it during the 14th century by the Knights of Saint John. Over the years, Mikro Chorio becomes a relic of an old settlement. As for now, it is arguably one of the best sightseeings of Tilos. A walk in the narrow and tranquil alleys of the village is just a unique experience. Amidst the ruins of the village stands a small bar that works only during the summer. It is definitely a unique experience to enjoy your drink and at the same time wonder about the ruined neighborhoods of Mikro Chorio.

The United States is sending warships to the Middle East. According to [Donald Trump‘s] national security adviser John Bolton, it is a warning to Iran. Eg, aircraft carriers with bombers are going to the area.

TRUMP RATCHETS UP IRAN TENSIONS The United States will send an aircraft carrier and a bomber task force to the Middle East in response to “troubling and escalatory indications and warnings” from Iran, national security adviser John Bolton said. [HuffPost]

Will US bombs and missiles soon be raining down on Iran? The dispatch of US warplanes and an aircraft carrier strike group to the Persian Gulf region with the express aim of sending “a clear and unmistakable message” that Washington is ready to attack Iran, along with other bellicose US actions, indicates that preparations are far advanced for a provocation that could—and most likely would—trigger a catastrophic war: here.